Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a standalone cooperative board game that exists in the same rich fantasy world as the original Gloomhaven but is designed as an accessible entry point for newcomers to the series.
While Gloomhaven is known for its depth and complexity, Jaws of the Lion streamlines the gameplay and introduces new players to the mechanics in a more gradual and tutorial-like fashion. It offers a condensed campaign with a smaller set of characters and scenarios, making it a fantastic starting point for those intimidated by the complexity of the original Gloomhaven.
Despite the simplified approach, Jaws of the Lion retains the deep storytelling, strategic combat, and tactical decision-making that make the Gloomhaven series a standout in the world of board games.
Both games excel in their own right, with Jaws of the Lion being an ideal starting point for those new to the series or seeking a more streamlined experience, while the original Gloomhaven offers a deeper and more expansive journey for those willing to invest the time and effort into mastering its intricacies.
What’s included in Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
- Rulebook: The rulebook serves as both a rule guide and a scenario book. It contains a series of introductory scenarios designed to teach you the game gradually.
- Scenario Book: Contains all the scenarios you’ll play through. Scenarios provide the story, objectives, and map layout.
- Character Booklets: Each player selects a character from the four included in the game. Character booklets contain all the information about your character, including abilities, items, and personal quests.
- Map Tiles: These are used to construct the scenario maps based on the scenario book.
- Attack Modifier Deck: Each character has an attack modifier deck that determines the outcome of their attacks.
- Monster Stat Sleeves: These hold monster ability cards and stat cards.
- Monster Ability Cards: These cards dictate how monsters behave during their turns.
- Monster Stat Cards: Contain the health, movement, and other stats for each monster type.
- Character Tokens: Used to track characters’ hit points (HP) and experience points (XP).
- Scenario Tracker: Helps you track the progress of the scenario.
- Element Infusion Tokens: Represent the game’s elemental system.
- Battle Goals: These are secret objectives for each character that can earn you rewards.
- Event Cards: Used for city and road events that add narrative depth to the game.
- Summon Tokens: Used when a character summons creatures or objects.
- Round Tracker: Helps you keep track of the current round.
How to play Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is played over a series of scenarios, each with its objectives and map layout. Here’s an overview of how the game is played.
Setup
- Choose your character, take the corresponding character booklet, miniatures, HP and XP trackers, attack modifier deck, and ability cards.
- Set up the scenario as described in the scenario book, placing map tiles, monsters, and tokens as specified.
- Shuffle the monster ability cards for each monster type and place them in their respective stat sleeves.
- Each player starts with a small hand of ability cards from their character’s deck.
- Place the round tracker and elemental infusion tokens nearby.
Gameplay
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is played over a series of scenarios, each with its objectives and map layout. Here’s an overview of how the game is played:
1. Rounds:
- Each scenario is divided into rounds, and each round consists of two parts: the player’s turn and the monster’s turn.
2. Player’s Turn:
- Players choose two ability cards from their hand to play during the round. Each card has a top and a bottom action.
- Players reveal one card at a time, selecting either the top or bottom action of the first card and the opposite action of the second card.
- Initiative values on the cards determine the order in which players act. The player with the lowest initiative goes first.
- Players resolve their actions, moving, attacking, using special abilities, and managing resources like HP and XP.
- After each player has taken their turn, the round proceeds to the monster’s turn.
3. Monster’s Turn:
- Monster ability cards dictate how monsters behave during their turn. These cards indicate their movement, attack, and special abilities.
- Monsters focus on the nearest target and follow the card’s instructions. If multiple targets are equally distant, the players choose the target.
- After the monster’s turn, players start a new round.
4. Scenario Objectives:
- Each scenario has specific objectives that you must achieve to win. These objectives can include defeating certain enemies, reaching a specific location, or interacting with objects on the map.
- Completing the objectives is essential to progress through the campaign.
5. Gaining Experience and Loot:
- Players earn experience points (XP) for defeating enemies, completing objectives, and using certain abilities.
- Loot can be collected by moving onto a loot token and using a loot action on an ability card.
6. Long Rests and Short Rests:
- Characters can take long rests during their turn to recover lost cards.
- Short rests can be taken during the scenario, but they involve losing a random card from your hand.
7. Event Cards:
- Between scenarios, players can experience city and road events by drawing event cards. These events can have various consequences and choices that impact the game’s narrative.
8. Leveling Up:
- As characters gain experience, they level up, which allows them to enhance their abilities, gain new perks, and add more powerful cards to their decks.
Winning and Progressing: To win a scenario, you must complete the specified objectives. Winning scenarios and completing personal quests earn you rewards, progress the campaign, and unlock new scenarios.
For the official rules, see the link below:
Classes in Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
In Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, there are four character classes available, which offer a streamlined and beginner-friendly introduction to the Gloomhaven universe. These classes are designed to be more accessible and easier to grasp for newcomers. Let’s compare these classes to those found in the original Gloomhaven:
- The Brute (originally known as Hatchet in the base game):
- Similarities: Both are melee damage-dealers with strong close combat abilities. They have high health and excel in front-line combat.
- Differences: Jaws of the Lion’s Brute is more straightforward, with a focus on direct damage and control, while the original Gloomhaven’s Hatchet has a unique ranged throwing mechanic.
- The Tinkerer (as per the Tinkerer in the original Gloomhaven):
- Similarities: Both are support classes with healing abilities and a wide range of support actions. They can generate elements for elemental bonuses.
- Differences: Jaws of the Lion’s Tinkerer has a more streamlined and beginner-friendly set of abilities, making it easier for newcomers to grasp.
- The Spellweaver (as per the Spellweaver in the original Gloomhaven):
- Similarities: Both are ranged damage-dealing spellcasters capable of dealing area damage and manipulating elements.
- Differences: Jaws of the Lion’s Spellweaver has a simplified set of abilities compared to the original Gloomhaven’s Spellweaver, making it more accessible for new players.
- The Demolitionist (Completely new class):
- The Demolitionist is unique to Jaws of the Lion and wasn’t present in the original Gloomhaven. This class focuses on ranged damage and area control through the use of explosives.